I pull my arm away. Brush my hair from my eyes. “Thanks.”
“I’m sorry if I’m overstepping. I’m not sure where the lines are, right now. I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.” She looks around the room and shakes her head. “This doesn’t feel like the night before my wedding.”
“What’s that supp
osed to feel like?”
“I’m not sure anymore.” Her lips curl into a frown. “Frank bailed so quickly. I know his mom is sick. But I hate doing these things alone.”
“If he’s good to her, he’ll be good to you.”
“He is.” She bites her lip. “I just… it’s nice to see you. I swear, you’re the only person here who really knows me.”
“I don’t really know you.”
“Of course you do.”
I nod to the pink flowers at the buffet table. “That isn’t you.”
“I know. This whole thing isn’t me. But it’s already done. The only way I can change any of this is if I run away tonight.”
“You’re nervous. It’s normal.”
“I hope you’re right.” Her eyes fix on mine. They bore into mine. She’s asking for something.
I don’t know what she wants.
But then I don’t care.
Not when Leighton is drinking her feelings at the bar. “Congrats, Pen. Really. You’ll be great tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
I nod goodbye, turn, make my way to the bar. It’s crowded with guys in suits. Dean and Kristen are nowhere to be seen.
But Leighton is still sitting on the stool on the left.
She brings her glass to her lips and takes a long sip.
“Hey.” I slide between the stools. Place my body next to hers.
She looks up at me. “Hey.” She downs what’s left of her drink in one gulp, slams it on the bar, motions hit me to the bartender.
He leers at her tits as he pours.
“You want something?” She turns toward the bartender. “My boyfriend drinks bourbon.”
He frowns at the word boyfriend. “I’ll hook you up, buddy.”
“Thanks.” She spins on her stool, so she’s facing me. “How’s Penny?”
“Nervous.” I unpeel her fingers from her glass. “How many is that?”
“Three.”
“Maybe you should slow down.”
“Maybe you should drop the condescending tone.”